Source selector for breathing apparatus



Sept. 18, 1956 R. KIMES 2,763,262

SOURCE} SELECTOR FOR BREATHING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 19, 1955 2Sheets-Sheet 1 ROBERT K/MES,

IN VEN TOR.

Sept. 18", 1956 R. KIMES SOURCE SELECTOR FOR BREATHING APPARATUS 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 19, 1955 q DIVING ROBERT K /ME 5',

IN VEN TOR.

United States Patent SOURCE SELECTOR FOR BREATHING APPARATUS .RobertKimes, Culver City, Calif., assignor to The Garrett Corporation, LosAngeles, Calif., a corporation of California The present inventionrelates generally to a valve and relates more specifically to a'diverter type valve for use, :for example, in connection with abreathing apparatus.

in breathing apparatus such as, for example, that used in connectionwith underwater diving, exploration, or activity in contaminatedatmospheres and the like, it is desirable that a mouthpiece, nose andmouth mask, or full face mask be placed in position prior to ,entry ofthe user into water or other non-breatha'ble atmospheres or surroundingfluid media. In prior arrangements, with a mouthpiece, mask or otherfacecovering in position, and wherein a source of breathable gas wasprovided, breathing within or without the unbreathable ambient mediumhad to be done from the provided independent supply at all times whenthe mask or mouthpiece was in place. This action utilized the providedsupply of breathable gas under conditions when such use was notnecessary, thereby wasting the supply.

Accordingly, it'has become necessary to provide valve means for use inconjunction with a breathing apparatus, and specifically a mouthpiece ormask arrangement, to enable the user rapidly, efiiciently andeffective'ly to switch from breathing the surrounding atmosphere to thesupply of breathable gas, and'vice versa.

It is therefore one important object of the present invention to providea valve for use in connection with a breathing apparatus, saidvalve'being simple in construction, reliable and-eflective in use andrapid in operation.

Another important object of the present invention is toprovi'de .a'valvefor use in connection'witha breathing apparatus and wherein componentsthereof are maintained at .a minimum number commensurate with theefficient and eflective operation of the valve.

,A further important object of the present invention is to providea-.valve foruse inconnection witha breathing apparatus-whereinrmanualoperating means forthe valve is easily accessible to permit effectiveoperation :of the valve whenpositioned in association withthe faceand/orrespiratory system of the user.

Other and further important objects of .the present invention willbecome apparent from the detailed disclosures in the followingspecification, appended claims and accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is atop plan view of the valve of the present invention, showndiagrammatically in use in connection with a breathing apparatus;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view through the present valve astaken substantially as indicated by'line 22, Fig. ,1;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially as indicatedbyline 3-3, Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 .is a rear elevational view of the valve taken as indicated byline 4.-4, Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of the valve body used in connectionwith the present valve;

Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of the valve member also utilized inthe present valve; and

"ice

Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional view similar to Fig. 3 with parts indifferent positions.

With reference to the drawings, the valve of the present invention isshown in Fig. 1 as indicated generally at 10. As shown diagrammatically,the valve 10 is adapted for use primarily in connection with a breathingapparatus such as an underwater breathable gas regulator as indicatedgenerally at 11. The regulator 11 may be, for example, of the typedisclosed in my copending application Serial Number 427,195, filed May3, 1-954, and relating to a respiration device.

Generally, as shown diagrammatically in Fig. 1, the regulator 11includes an inhalation chamber 12 and an exhalation chamber 13. One sideof the chamber 1.3 is formed by a movable wall or diaphragm 14 whichcarries an exhalation valve 15. Ports 16, through the diaphragm 14,permit flow of gas from the chamber 13 and past the valve 15, thereafterto be exhausted ,to the surrounding fluid medium, by means of openings17 in a cover 18. Breathable gas is admitted to the chamber 12 from asource, which may take the form of a tank or cylinder 2b, by means of ametering valve 21. The valve 21 is operably associated with thediaphragm 1:4 and biasedtoward a closed position by means of acompression spring 22. Thus, an inhalation produced reduction inpressure in chamber 13, induced through a conduit 23, will move thediaphragm 14 inwardly toward the chamber 13, thereby to open the valve21 through use of a suitable lever arrangement 24 and permit flow of thebreathable gastrorn the cylinder 20 into the chamber 12, and from thechamber 12 to a point of use through a conduit 25. The conduits 2'3 .and25 may take the form of flexible hoses, as indicated at 26 and 27respectively, that extend, through use of the valve 10, to therespiratory system of the user. Eathalation products are conducted byway of the conduit 23 to the chamber 13 and outwardly into thesurrounding fluid medium by way of ports 16, valve 15 and openings 17 inthe cover 18.

As shown in the drawings, the valve 10 includes ,a generally cylindricalvalve body indicated vgenerally at 30. This valve body is shown indetail in Pig. 5. The valve further includes a generally cylindricalvalve member pivotally disposed within the valve body and indicatedgenerally at 31. This valve member is shown in detail in Fig. ,6.

The valve body 30 and valve member ,311may be molded from a resilientmaterial such as, for example, nylon. The valve body 36 has anopen endedlongitudinal slot 32 disposed through oneside thereof. Additionally, acircumferential slot 33 is also formed in "the longitudinally centralarea of the valve body, one end of this circumferential slot-being incommunicationwith the longitudinal slot 32. An integral mouthpiececonnection 34 extends radially outwardly from one side of the valve bodydiametrically opposite from the longitudinal slot 32. The mouthpiececonnection 34 has a plurality of passageways 35 formed therein andseparated byrmeans of structural stiffening webs 36. The passageways 35communicate with the elongated interior of the valve body which isdefined by a cylindrical inner surface37 thereof. The valve body 30further includes on the outer surface thereof, a pair of circumferentialstiffening-ribs 38, the ends thereof, adjacent the longitudinal slot 32,being somewhat wider, as at 40, to define notches 4-1, {the purpose ofwhich will be later described. The mouthpiece connection 34 is generallyelliptical with apair of circumferential flanges or enlargements .42being formed thereabout. The flanges 42cooperate with similar matinggrooves in and serve to retain .a flexible mouthpiece 43 on themouthpiece connection ,34. The mouthpiece 43 maybe made from rubber orthe like, and includes a semicircular portion 44, adapted for insertionbeneath the lips of the user, and a pair of gripping members 45 whichare adapted for extension between the teeth of the user, thereby tomaintain the teeth in a separated condition and the interior of themouth in communication with an interior passageway 46 through themouthpiece. The passageway 46 is in communication with the passages 35in the mouthpiece connection 34.

In regard to the use of the mouthpiece 43, it is to be understood thatthis particular adaptation of the invention is by Way of example onlyand that the present valve may be used with face masks, nose and mouthcovering devices or the like, without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention.

As discussed hereinbefore, the valve member 31 is adapted to bepivotally positioned within the valve body 30. For this purpose, thevalve member 31 includes a pair of spaced peripheral flanges 50, theopposed surfaces 51 of which are adapted for engagement with endsurfaces 52 of the valve body, thereby to limit axial movement of thevalve member relative to the valve body. A pair of journals 53 arepositioned adjacent the surfaces 51 of the flanges 50, with thesejournals being adapted for sliding engagement with the inner surface 37of the valve body 30. Thus, the flanges t and the journals 53 define acentral reduced diameter portion 54 on the valve member 31 with thisportion being disposed in spaced relationship to the inner surface 37 ofthe valve body, thereby to define an annular space 55 therebetween. Thisannular space is maintained and assured by means of a pair ofsemicircular ribs 56 that are disposed radially outwardly from the outersurface of the central portion 54 of the valve member 31. The outerperipheral edges of the ribs 56 are the same diameter as that of thejournals 53 and are adapted for contact with the inner surface 37 of thevalve body 30, thereby to prevent any undesirable deformation of thecentral area of the valve body inwardly toward the space 55, definedbetween the valve body and the valve member.

The longitudinal outer ends of the valve member 31 are provided withcylindrical hose attachment fittings 60, the ends of which terminate inradially outwardly extending flanges 61. A longitudinal bore 62 extendsthrough the valve member including the fittings 60. The hoses 26 and 27are adapted for disposition about the fittings 60 and for retentionthereon by means of suitable clamps 63. It is to be noted that the firstconvolution of the hoses lies over the flanges 61 to relieve undesirablestresses in the hoses at these points. The

clamps 63, shown by way of example, are provided with hook arrangements64 to maintain them in position about the ends of the hoses 26 and 27,providing a fluid tight seal between the hoses and the fittings 60.

The valve member 31 further includes a manual operating lever 65 that isformed integrally therewith and extends radially outwardly from thereduced diameter central portion 54. The operating lever is adapted fordisposition in the circumferential slot 33 in the valve body 30.Additionally, the valve member 31 includes a radially extending boss 66that is formed integrally therewith and extends outwardly from thecentral reduced diameter portion 54. The boss 66 extends radiallyapproximately to the diameter of the journals 53 and longitudinallybetween these journals. The boss 66 is further provided with a passage67 therethrough which extends radially with respect to the valve member31 and communicates with the bore 62 in the valve member. A plurality ofspacing webs 68 are disposed within the passage 67 in order to stiffenthe material in this area. The areas of the passages 35 in themouthpiece connection 34, passages 67 in the boss 66 and longitudinalbore 62 are such as to prevent any undesirable restriction to fluid flowtherethrough. Of these, the passages 35 have the greatest area with thepassage 67 being next smallest. Thus the valve of the present inventionelim- 4 inates any possibility of pressure drop in the flow ofbreathable gas therethrough.

The boss 66 is provided with a groove 70 which extends about the passage67 and is spaced a slight distance therefrom. A sealing means in theform of an O-ring 71 is adapted for disposition in the groove 70 withthis O-ring being further adapted for cooperation with the inner surface37 of the valve body 30 and the inner edges of the webs 36, thereby toprovide a fluid tight seal between the space and the passage 67. It maybe seen and it should be understood that the seal 71 may be eliminatedby manufacture of the valve member 31 from suitable resilient materialor by design of an eflective labyrinth type seal arrangement about thepassageway 67.

In order that the valve body 30 may be held in tight circumferentialengagement with the journals 53 and ribs 56 of the valve member 31, apair of clips 72 are disposed circumferentially across the longitudinalslot 32 in the valve body. These clips have end portions that areadapted for engagement with the notches 41 defined adjacent theenlargement 40 on the ends of the stiffening ribs 38. The clips 72 maybe made from a suitable spring material in order that constantcircumferential tension may be maintained on the valve body 30. Theclips 72 may be eliminated if desired by construction of the valve body30 with sufficient stiffness to maintain the above mentioned tension onthe valve member 31.

In order to limit rotation of the valve member 31 relative to the valvebody 30, and to prevent engagement of the operating lever 65 with eitherone side of the longitudinal slot 32 or one end of the circumferentialslot 33 and inadvertent circumferential deformation of the valve body, astop member 75 is disposed longitudinally outwardly from one end surface52 of the valve body. This stop member is adapted for cooperation with acircumferential notch 76 formed in the peripheral edge of one of theflanges 50 on the valve member 31.

Thus, it may be seen that the user has the choice of either breathingfrom the surrounding atmosphere or alternately from the provided supplyof breathable gas from the source 20. With the manual operating lever 65being disposed in the position shown in Figs. 14 of the drawings, theinterior of the mouthpiece 43 will be in communication with the bore 62of the valve member, by way of the passage 35 in the mouthpiececonnection 34 and passage 67 formed through the boss 66 of the valvemember 31. When the manual operating lever 65 is in a position as shownin Fig. 7 of the drawings, the user may breathe from the surroundingatmosphere, with the interior of the mouthpiece 43 being incommunication therewith by way of the passage 35 in the mouthpiececonnection 34, the space 55, defined between the interior surface 37 ofthe valve body 30 and the reduced diameter portion 54 of the valvemember 31, and the slots 32 and 33. Rotation of the valve body 30 isnormally restricted by the positioning of the mouthpiece 43 in the mouthor the attachment of a mask to the face of the user. The slight twistingof the flexible hoses 26 and 27, upon pivotal movement of the valvemember in the valve body, is negligible. 1

Actually, it will be seen that the valve member may be pivotally movedby the user without use of the lever 65, by merely grasping the hoses inthe area of the fittings and rotating these hoses together with thevalve member 31. As a matter of fact, for such operation, the lever maybe completely eliminated. For convenience of the diver, the outersurface, as shown in Fig. 4, of the valve body 30 may further beprovided with suitable indicia as, for example Diving and Surface, sothat the manual operating lever 65 may properly be positioned dependingupon the source of breathable gas desired by the user.

The valve of the present invention is capable of use not only inconnection with, as stated hereinbefore, the mouthpiece as illustratedand other mask or mouthpiece arrangements, but has other features whichextend its usefulness. For example, when the present valve is utilizedin conjunction with the type of regulator illustrated at 11, the usermay remove the entire breathing apparatus together with the mouthpiecefrom his person while underwater or in a non-breathable atmospherewithout the regulator and hoses becoming filled or appreciablycontaminated. With the mouthpiece valve in the position shown in Fig. 3,the mouthpiece may be removed from the mouth during an exhalation cyclewith simultaneous pivotal movement of the valve member 31 to theposition shown in Fig. 7. With this procedure, it is to be noted thatwater or contaminating gas will not flood the system of the breathingapparatus, which is thereafter effectively closed by reason of thetermination of the connection between the hoses Z6 and 27 and thepassageway 35 leading to the mouthpiece 43. This position of the valve10 may also be set in a spare fully charged complete unit prior tosubmersion in the event it is desired to leave a spare unit on thebottom to be available as may be necessary for extensive underwaterexploration or other activity. With the breathing apparatus of the typeindicated at 11, it is obvious that the cylinder shut-off valve 80between the supply source 20 and valve 21 must be opened prior to entryof freshly charged apparatus into the water. During descent, a slightflow from the source 20 is necessary and will occur in order thatpressures within the apparatus, hoses, and valve 10 may be equalizedwith the pressure of the surrounding fluid medium.

The additional breathing apparatus may thereafter be utilized or thepreviously removed unit may be reutilized as the user may thereafterdesire. Due to the particular construction of the type of regulator 11,it becomes only necessary to pivot the valve member to the positionshown in Fig. 3 and reinsertion of the mouthpiece 43 into the mouth forresumption of breathing from the source 20. The valve may be movedrapidly from one position to another to enable the user to expel anysmall amount of Water that may have collected in the valve, his mouth orthe regulator 11.

It will be seen that the present valve may be used as a mixing valve bypositioning the valve member 31 intermediate its extreme positions andpresentation of different effective areas to the passageways 35.

It may thus be seen that the valve arrangement of the present inventionis constructed from only two major components that are simple in design,efficient in operation, and effective in use. Additionally, it may beseen that the present device may rapidly be converted for breathing fromeither of two sources.

Having thus described the invention and the present embodiment thereof,it is desired to emphasize the fact that many modifications may beresorted to in a manner limited only by a just interpretation of thefollowing claims.

I claim:

1. A valve for use in connection with a breathing apparatus, said valvecomprising: a generally cylindrical body; a tubular mouthpiececonnection extending from said body and communicating with the interiorthereof; a cylindrical valve member pivotally positioned in said valvebody; breathing hose attachment means on said valve member; said valvemember having a reduced diameter portion having a diameter less than aninner surface diameter of said valve body; a radially extending bossdisposed upon said reduced diameter portion; an opening in said bossadapted for communication with the interior of said valve member andwith said tubular mouthpiece connection, said mouthpiece beingalternately communicable with the-space between said reduced diameterportion of said valve member and said inner surface of said valve body,upon pivotal movement of said valve member; and seal means disposedabout said opening, said seal means being adapted for engagement withsaid inner surface of said valve body.

2. A valve for use in connection with a breathing apparatus, said valvecomprising: a generally cylindrical valve body; a tubular mouthpiececonnection extending from said body and communicating with the interiorthereof; a longitudinal slot through said body; a circumferential slotin said body, one end of said circumferential slot communicating withsaid longitudinal slot; a cylindrical valve member pivotally positionedin said valve body; breathing hose attachment fittings disposed on eachend of said valve member; a central portion in said valve member, saidcentral portion having a diameter less than an inner surface diameter ofsaid valve body; an operating lever disposed radially outwardly fromsaid valve member, said lever being adapted for extension through saidcircumferential slot in said valve body; a radially extending bossdisposed from said central portion; an opening in said boss adapted forcommunication with the interior of said valve member and with saidtubular mouthpiece connection, said mouthpiece alternately being adaptedfor communication with the space between said central portion of saidvalve member and said inner surface of said valve body upon pivotalmovement of said valve member by manual movement of said lever in saidcircumferential slot; and seal means disposed about said opening, saidseal means being adapted for engagement with said inner surface of saidvalve body.

3. A valve for use in connection with a breathing apparatus, said valvecomprising: a generally cylindrical valve body; a tubular mouthpiececonnection extending from said body and communicating with the interiorthereof; a longitudinal slot through said body; a circumferential slotin said body, one end of said circumferential slot communicating withsaid longitudinal slot; a cylindrical valve member pivotally positionedin said valve body; means for restricting axial movement of said valvemember in said valve body; breathing hose attachment fittings disposedon each end of said valve member; a central portion in said valvemember, said central portion having a diameter less than an innersurface diameter of said valve body to define a space therebetween; anoperating lever disposed radially outwardly from said central portion,said lever being adapted for extension through said circumferential slotin said valve body; a radially extending boss disposed from said centralportion; an opening in said boss adapted for communication with theinterior of said valve member and with said tubular mouthpiececonnection, said mouthpiece alternately being adapted for communicationwith said space between said central portion of said valve member andsaid inner surface of said valve body upon pivotal movement of saidvalve member by manual movement of said lever in said circumferentialslot; a groove spaced from and surrounding said opening; and seal meansdisposed in said groove, said seal means being adapted for engagementwith said inner surface of said valve body.

4. A valve for use in connection with a breathing apparatus, said valvecomprising: a generally cylindrical valve body; a tubular mouthpiececonnection extending from said body and communicating with the interiorthereof; a longitudinal slot through said body; a circumferential slotin said body, one end of said circumferential slot communicating withsaid longitudinal slot; a cylindrical valve member pivotally positionedin said valve body; breathing hose attachment fittings disposed on eachend of said valve member; journals disposed on said valve member withinends of said valve body, said journals being adapted for contact with aninner surface of said valve body; a central portion in said valvemember, said central portion having a diameter less than said innersurface diameter of said valve body to define a space therebetween; anoperating lever disposed radially outwardly from said central portion,said lever being adapted for extension through said circumferential slotin said valve body; a radially extending boss disposed from said centralportion; an opening in said boss adapted for communication with theinterior of said valve member and with said tubular mouthpiececonnection, said mouthpiece alternately being adapted for communicationwith said space between said central portion of said valve member andsaid inner surface of said valve body upon pivotal movement of saidvalve member and by manual movement of said lever in saidcircumferential slot; and seal means disposed about said opening, saidseal means being adapted for engagement with said inner surface of saidvalve body.

5. A valve for use in connection with a breathing apparatus, said valvecomprising: a generally cylindrical valve body; a tubular mouthpiececonnection extending from said body and communicating with the interiorthereof; a longitudinal slot through said body; a circumferential slotin said body, one end of said circumferential slot communicating withsaid longitudinal slot; a cylindrical valve member pivotally positionedin said valve body; means for restricting axial movement of said valvemember in said valve body; breathing hose attachment fittings disposedon each end of said valve member; journals disposed on said valve memberwithin ends of said valve body, said journals being adapted for contactwith an inner surface of said valve body; a central portion in saidvalve member, said central portion having a diameter less than saidinner surface diameter of said valve body to define a spacetherebetween; an operating lever disposed radially outwardly from saidcentral portion, said lever being adapted for extension through saidcircumferential slot in said valve body; a radially extending bossdisposed from said central portion; an opening in said boss adapted forcommunication with the interior of said valve member and with saidtubular mouthpiece connection, said mouthpiece alternately being adaptedfor communication with said space between said central portion of saidvalve member and said inner surface of said valve body upon pivotalmovement of said valve member by manual movement of said lever in saidcircumferential slot; a groove spaced from and surrounding said opening;and seal means disposed in said groove, said seal means being adaptedfor engagement with said inner surface of said valve body.

6. A valve for use in connection with a breathing apparatus, said valvecomprising: a generally cylindrical valve body molded from flexiblematerial; a tubular mouthpiece connection extending from said body andcommunicating with the interior thereof; a longitudinal slot throughsaid body; a circumferential slot in said body, one end of saidcircumferential slot communicating with said longitudinal slot; acylindrical valve member pivotally positioned in said valve body; meansfor restricting axial movement of said valve member in said valve body;breathing hose attachment fittings disposed on each end of said valvemember; journals disposed on said valve member within ends of said valvebody, said journals being adapted for contact with an inner surface ofsaid valve body; a central portion in said valve member, said centralportion being disposed between said journals and having a diameter lessthan said inner surface diameter of said valve body to define a spacetherebetween; an operating lever disposed radially outwardly from saidcentral portion, said lever being adapted for extension through saidcircumferential slot in said valve body; a radially extending bossdisposed from said central portion; an opening in said boss adapted forcommunication with the interior of said valve member and with saidtubular mouthpiece connection, said mouthpiece alternately being adaptedfor communication with said space between said central portion of saidvalve member and said inner surface of said valve body upon pivotalmovement of said valve member by manual movement of said lever in saidcircumferential slot; a groove spaced radially outwardly from andsurrounding said opening; seal means disposed in said groove, said sealmeans being adapted for engagement with said inner surface of said valvebody; and clip means for securing said valve body in tightcircumferential engagement With said journals of said valve member.

7. A valve for use in connection with a breathing apparatus, said valvecomprising: a generally cylindrical valve body molded from flexiblematerial; a tubular mouthpiece connection extending from said body andcommunicating with the interior thereof; a longitudinal slot throughsaid body; a circumferential slot in said body, one end of saidcircumferential slot communicating with said longitudinal slot; acylindrical molded valve member pivotally positioned in said valve body;flange means formed on said valve members for restricting axial movementfor said valve member in said valve body; breathing hose attachmentfittings disposed on each end of said valve member; journals disposed onsaid valve member within ends of said valve body, said journals beingadapted for contact with an inner surface of said valve body; a centralportion in said valve member, said central portion being disposedbetween said journals and having a diameter less than said inner surfacediameter of said valve body to define a space therebetween; an operatinglever disposed radially outwardly from said central portion, said leverbeing adapted for extension through said circumferential slot in saidvalve body; a radially extending boss disposed from said centralportion; an opening in said boss adapted for communication with theinterior of said valve member and with said tubular mouthpiececonnection, said mouthpiece alternately being adapted for communicationwith said space between said central portion of said valve member andsaid inner surface of said valve body upon pivotal movement of saidvalve member by manual movement of said lever in said circumferentialslot; a groove spaced radially outwardly from and surrounding saidopening; seal means disposed in said groove, said seal means beingadapted for engagement with said inner surface of said valve body; andclips engaging notches on each end of said valve body and extending oversaid longitudinal slot for maintaining said valve body in tightcircumferential engagement with said journals of said valve member.

8. A valve for use in connection with a breathing apparatus, said valvecomprising: a body having a lateral mouthpiece opening and anatmospheric opening communicating with the interior thereof; a tubularvalve member pivotally positioned in said body, said valve member andbody being shaped to provide a passage therebetween; breathing hosereceiving means on said valve member, said valve member having a lateralopening communicating with the interior thereof, pivotal movement ofsaid valve member alternately establishing communication between theopenings in said body through said passage and between one of theopenings in said body and the interior of said valve member through thelateral opening therein; and seal means disposed between the body andvalve member to prevent communication between the interior of the valvemember and said passage at all times.

9. A valve for use in connection with a breathing apparatus, said valvecomprising: a body having a lateral mouthpiece opening and anatmospheric opening communicating with the interior thereof; a tubularvalve member pivotally positioned in said body, said valve member andbody being shaped to provide a passage therebetween; interengaging meanson said body and valve member to prevent relative longitudinal movementthereof; breathing hose receiving means on said valve member, said valvemember having a lateral opening communicating with the interior thereof,pivotal movement of said valve member alternately establishingcommunication between the openings in said body through said passage andbetween one of the openings in said body and the interior of said valvemember through the lateral opening therein; and seal means disposedbetween the body and valve member to prevent communication between theinterior of the valve member and said passage at all times.

10. A valve for use in connection with a breathing apparatus, said valvecomprising: a body having a lateral mouthpiece opening and anatmospheric opening communicating with the interior thereof; a tubularvalve member pivotally positioned in said body, said valve member andbody being shaped to provide a passage therebetween; interengaging meanson said body and valve member to limit pivotal movement of said valvemember; breathing hose receiving means on said valve member, said valvemember having a lateral opening communicating with the interior thereof,pivotal movement of said valve member alternately establishingcommunication between the openings in said body through said passage andbetween one of the openings in said body and the interior of said valvemember through the lateral opening therein; and seal means disposedbetween the body and valve member to prevent communication between theinterior of the valve member and said passage at all times.

11. A valve for use in connection with a breathing apparatus, said valvecomprising: a body having a lateral mouthpiece opening and anatmospheric opening communicating with the interior thereof; a tubularvalve member pivotally positioned in said body, said valve member andbody being shaped to provide a passage therebetween; a firstinterengaging means 011 said body and valve member to prevent relativelongitudinal movement thereof; a second interengaging means on said bodyand valve member to limit pivotal movement of said valve member;breathing hose receiving means on said valve member, said valve memberhaving a lateral opening communicating with the interior thereof,pivotal movement of said valve member alternately establishingcommunication between the openings in said body through said passage andbetween one of the openings in said body and the interior of said valvemember through the lateral opening therein; and seal means disposedbetween the body and valve member to prevent communication between theinterior of the valve member and said passage at all times.

No references cited.

